From keeping those adorable tiny toes of your kiddo warm to experiencing their proud first steps, socks play a vital role in every child’s wardrobe journey. They cover your toddler's feet and give their soft and gentle skin protection, warmth, and, of course, a sense of style. Have you ever wondered how great your toddler would look with a pair of socks for each style and occasion that would color-match with the rest of their outfit? Most kids do not like wearing shoes until they reach preschool. What remains the highlight of those cute feet, then? You’re right… It's the socks!
Finding the right pair of socks can be a tricky business for many, especially if you are shopping online or looking to gift a pair for a baby shower. But fear not, as we will give you a complete guide to finding the perfect sock size for those little feet! Let's dive into the world of sock sizes and learn everything about it, one tiny step at a time!
Before we get into sock sizes, you need to understand the types of socks that are popular for toddlers on the market today.
Now that we have that out of the way, here are two ways in which you can determine which size will fit the best for your child’s feet.
(A) Foot measurements:
The best way to find the right size for your child’s socks is by having them measured by a shoe fitting specialist at a store, or you can even replicate the process at home. Just follow these simple steps.
Foot-measuring steps to follow at home
Step 1 - Determine the length of the foot
For measuring the foot of your toddler accurately, you will have to make them stand straight on a flat board-like surface (preferably against a wall) and place a tape ruler under their foot. Make sure you have their full weight on the floor while measuring.
Now measure the exact length of your child’s foot, right from the longest toe to the back of the heel. You need to measure both feet separately, as some toddlers have slightly bigger feet than others. Mark down these measurements and get ready for the next step of measuring the width of their foot.
Step 2 - Determine the width of the foot
The width of different children's feet varies depending on the shape of their feet and the type of socks that they prefer. Some children have a broad width on the top portion of their feet, while others have a wide width across the ball portion of their feet. The measuring process for the width is a bit more complex, but we recommend you use the same ruler technique, which should work fine 99% of the time.
Step 3 - Compare the measurements with the size recommendations chart given on socks shopping websites
It's now time to take your measurements based on the size recommendation charts of the sock retail store and get a size that matches the measurements of your child’s foot. Furthermore, we suggest that you leave some room for your child’s growing feet while deciding the ultimate size for your toddler. For example, based on your measurements, if the size recommendation chart shows a size between 5 and 6, it is always better to go for 6, and your toddler will grow their feet in the months to come.
Note: The steps mentioned above can also be used to measure your child's shoe size.
(B) Size Chart by Age
Getting the right measurements can be quite exhilarating. Perhaps you're looking to buy a pretty pair for a relative’s new born or your neighbour’s tod! In such cases,
you just can’t get that size perfect! But do not worry, as we have a solution for those complications too.
If you are not sure about the size and, at the same time, do not want to risk flinging it, Here is a guide to sock sizes in correspondence with the age of the child. Refer to the table below.
|
Age of the Child |
Socks size (total foot length) |
Socks size (cm) |
|
New born to 3 Months |
1 - 2.5’’ |
2.5 - 6.3 cms |
|
6 to 12 Months |
2.5 - 4’’ |
6.3 - 10 cms |
|
1 to 3 years old |
4 - 6’’ |
10 - 15.2 cms |
|
3 to 6 years old |
6 - 7.5’’ |
15.2 - 19 cms |
|
6 to 9 years old |
7.5 - 8.5’’ |
19 - 21.5 cms |
|
9 to 12 years old |
8.5 - 9’’ |
21.5 - 22.8 cms |
Note: The size chart above might not be 100% accurate as not all babies follow the general feet size pattern and not all sock brand sizes are the same. However, the goal here is to give you a fairly decent idea of what size works for a particular age group of children and what size doesn’t.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect size for your little one is nothing less than a task. However, you need to determine their fit so that they slay their cuteness while being comfortable and cozy all the time. To summarize, you cannot go wrong with either foot measurements at a store or at home, or you can also follow the age-based chart to get that perfect fit. Always compare your measurements with the sock retail brands (as different brands follow different size charts) and make sure you allow some room for growth while choosing the final pair. Did you figure out the perfect size for your kiddo? Perfect! Now all you got to do is find them the best pair that will brighten out the shine in their style!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is measuring my child’s socks size important?
Of course, it is. Socks size not only enhances the comfort for your child but also decreases the wear and tear of socks over time and makes them last longer. Getting a fit too tight or too loose will make their socks-wearing experience unpleasant
2. Is there a difference between socks size and shoe size?
There isn’t any major difference in both. However, it is a good practice to keep the shoe size a tiny bit bigger to leave some room for growth.
3. What is an effective way of measuring the circumference of my child’s feet?
Using a tape measure is the most effective way to get this done. Just wrap the tape measure around your child’s arch on their foot.
4. How often should I measure my child’s feet?
It's best to measure your child’s feet every 4 to 6 months.
5. How much room should I leave for growth?
It's a good practice to keep at least half-inch of room for growth both, for their socks size and shoes too.